Mel Watkins (2) (1940–)

A deeply sympathetic biography of the cinema and stage figure whose persona of "Stepin' Fetchit" has proven controversial and divisive over many decades; as the author quite rightly points out, the very name has become a byword for a particular type of racial caricature. Watkins argues a number of points, including that Perry's character was slyly putting on the man (so to speak); I, for one, wasn't totally convinced by the argument, since Perry didn't have much control over his material (I don't find Watkins' arguments to the contrary terribly convincing), and Perry was not the most reliable narrator (which Watkins, in his fairness, does point out multiple times), which makes Perry's claims to be a certain kind of mold-breaker a bit dubious. On the other hand, Watkins does reveal that there is a great deal more to Perry that meets the eye, and he does a good job of discussing the split in the African-American community of the 20s and 30s as to their reactions to Perry's character. As an animation fan, I note that he did make a nod to Perry's caricatures, though he could have done more on this, especially since many of these "appearances" came during periods when Perry's star was in eclipse. Well worth a read to decide for yourself whether Watkins is right or not.… (meer)